Method, device, and system for waveform shaping of signal light

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method for waveform shaping of signal light. This method includes the steps of supplying signal light to a first waveform shaper to obtain intermediate signal light, dividing the intermediate signal light into first and second signal lights, supplying the first signal light to a clock recovery circuit to obtain a clock pulse, and supplying the second signal light and the clock pulse to a second waveform shaper to obtain regenerated signal light synchronous with the clock pulse.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/386,847, 09/456,821, 09/560,723, 09/571,384, 09/637,640, and 09/665,164, and which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method, device, and system for waveform shaping of signal light.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) type optical gate is known as a conventional waveform shaping device for performing waveform shaping on the optical level. This optical gate is configured by integrating a Mach-Zehnder interferometer including first and second nonlinear optical media each for providing a phase shift on an optical waveguide substrate, for example. Probe light as continuous wave (CW) light is equally divided into two components, which are in turn supplied to the first and second nonlinear optical media. The optical path length of the interferometer is set so that output light is not obtained by interference of the two components of the probe light.

[0006] An optical signal is further supplied to one of the first and second nonlinear optical media. By properly setting the powers of the optical signal and the probe light, a converted optical signal synchronous with the optical signal is output from the optical gate. The converted optical signal has the same wavelength as that of the probe light.

[0007] It has been proposed to use a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as each of the first and second nonlinear optical media. For example, an InGaAs-SOA having opposite end faces treated with antireflection coatings is used as each nonlinear optical medium in a 1.5 μm band, and these nonlinear optical media are integrated on an InP/GaInAsP substrate to fabricate an optical gate.

[0008] A nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) is known as another conventional waveform shaping device. The NOLM includes a first optical coupler including first and second optical paths directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path for connecting the first and second optical paths, and a second optical coupler including a third optical path directionally coupled to the loop optical path.

[0009] By forming a part or the whole of the loop optical path from a nonlinear optical medium and supplying probe light and an optical signal respectively to the first optical path and the third optical path, a converted optical signal is output from the second optical path.

[0010] An optical fiber is generally used as the nonlinear optical medium in the NOLM. In particular, a NOLM using a SOA as the nonlinear optical medium is referred to as an SLALOM (Semiconductor Laser Amplifier in a Loop Mirror).

[0011] In an optical fiber communication system that has been put to practical use in recent years, a reduction in signal power due to transmission line loss, coupling loss, etc. is compensated by using an optical amplifier such as an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The optical amplifier is an analog amplifier, which functions to linearly amplify a signal. In this kind of optical amplifier, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise generated in association with the amplification is added to cause a reduction in signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio), so that the number of repeaters is limited to result in the limit of a transmission distance. Further, waveform degradation due to the chromatic dispersion owned by an optical fiber and the nonlinear optical effects in the fiber is another cause of the transmission limit. To break down such a limit, a regenerative repeater for digitally processing a signal is required, and it is desirable to realize such a regenerative repeater. In particular, an all-optical regenerative repeater capable of performing all kinds of signal processing in optical level is important in realizing a transparent operation independent of the bit rate, pulse shape, etc. of a signal.

[0012] The functions required for the all-optical regenerative repeater are amplitude restoration or reamplification, waveform shaping or reshaping, and timing restoration or retiming. These functions are referred to as 3R functions, and in particular, the first and second functions are referred to as 2R functions.

[0013] The 2R functions can be provided by combining a waveform shaping device and an optical amplifier, or by using a waveform shaping device having an optical amplifying function. Further, the 3R functions can be provided by additionally using a clock recovery circuit in parallel to the 2R functions.

[0014] The present inventor has already proposed a waveform shaping device for providing the 2R functions and/or the 3R functions (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 11-293189). In this device, two NOLMs are combined to thereby increase the degree of wavelength conversion in the case of obtaining a function of waveform shaping or optical gate.

[0015] Particularly in the waveform shaping device for providing the 3R functions, there is a case that sufficient 3R functions cannot be obtained according to the degree of deterioration of an optical signal on which the extraction of a clock pulse in the clock recovery circuit is based.

[0016] Further, in the case of applying wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to dramatically increase a transmission capacity, it is expected that the waveform shaping device for providing the 3R functions may be complicated according to the number of WDM channels. Accordingly, a waveform shaping device suitable for WDM is demanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method, device, and system for waveform shaping which can obtain sufficient 3R functions.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method, device, and system for waveform shaping which are suitable for WDM.

[0019] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

[0020] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising the steps of supplying signal light to a first waveform shaper to obtain intermediate signal light; dividing said intermediate signal light into first and second signal lights; supplying said first signal light to a clock recovery circuit to obtain a clock pulse; and supplying said second signal light and said clock pulse to a second waveform shaper to obtain regenerated signal light synchronous with said clock pulse.

[0021] According to this method, the clock pulse can be obtained according to the intermediate signal light obtained in the first wavelength shaper. Accordingly, the fidelity in clock regeneration can be improved to obtain sufficient 3R functions. Further, this method can be effectively applied to WDM as will be hereinafter described.

[0022] Preferably, each of said first and second waveform shapers comprises an optical gate using switching by cross-phase modulation. For example, a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) may be used as the optical gate. The NOLM comprises a first optical coupler including first and second optical paths directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path formed of a nonlinear optical medium for connecting said first and second optical paths, and a second optical coupler including a third optical path directionally coupled to said loop optical path.

[0023] Preferably, said clock recovery circuit comprises a mode-locked laser.

[0024] The method according to the present invention may further comprise the step of supplying said clock pulse to an optical filter to stretch the pulse width of said clock pulse.

[0025] The signal light to be supplied to the first waveform shaper may be WDM signal light obtained by wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths. For example, the WDM signal light is supplied to an optical delay circuit, in which each timing of the plurality of optical signals is changed in the time domain. By a specific function of the first waveform shaper, the WDM signal light is converted into the intermediate signal light given as an optical time division multiplexed signal having a single wavelength. In this case, the clock pulse preferably comprises a plurality of clock pulses respectively corresponding to the plurality of optical signals. As a result, the regenerated signal light becomes WDM signal light composed of a plurality of optical signals having wavelengths respectively corresponding to the wavelengths of the plurality of clock pulses.

[0026] As the optical delay circuit, an optical medium (e.g., optical fiber) providing chromatic dispersion may be used.

[0027] The method according to the present invention may further comprise the step of making the polarization states of the plurality of optical signals constant. In this case, polarization dependence in each waveform shaper can be avoided.

[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device comprising a first waveform shaper for accepting signal light to output intermediate signal light; an optical branch for dividing said intermediate signal light into first and second signal lights; a clock recovery circuit for accepting said first signal light to output a clock pulse; and a second waveform shaper for accepting said second signal light and said clock pulse to output regenerated signal light synchronous with said clock pulse. By using this device, the method according to the present invention can be easily carried out.

[0029] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a first optical fiber transmission line for propagating signal light; an optical regenerator connected to said first optical fiber transmission line for converting said signal light into regenerated signal light; and a second optical fiber transmission line connected to said optical regenerator for propagating said regenerated signal light. The optical regenerator may be provided by the device according to the present invention. By using this system, the method according to the present invention can be easily carried out.

[0030] In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising the steps of converting WDM signal light obtained by wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths into an optical time division multiplexed signal; obtaining a clock pulse having a frequency corresponding to the speed of each of said plurality of optical signals; and supplying said optical time division multiplexed signal and said clock pulse to a waveform shaper to obtain regenerated signal light.

[0031] Preferably, said step of obtaining said clock pulse comprises the step of regenerating a plurality of clock pulses respectively corresponding to said plurality of optical signals.

[0032] This method may further comprise the step of sequentially delaying said plurality of clock pulses by a predetermined delay time.

[0033] The step of regenerating said plurality of clock pulses may comprise the step of supplying said optical time division multiplexed signal to a plurality of clock recovery circuits.

[0034] Alternatively, the step of regenerating said plurality of clock pulse may comprise the steps of supplying said WDM signal light to a plurality of optical filters having pass bands respectively corresponding to the wavelengths of said plurality of optical signals, and supplying outputs from said optical filters to a plurality of clock recovery circuits, respectively.

[0035] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will best be understood from a study of the following description and appended claims with reference to the attached drawings showing some preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a NOLM (nonlinear optical loop mirror) applicable to the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 2 is a graph showing the output characteristic of the NOLM with respect to a phase difference Δφ.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating phase matching in the NOLM;

[0039]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable;

[0040]FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of wavelength conversion in the device to which the present invention is applicable;

[0041]FIG. 6 is a graph showing a characteristic function of cascaded NOLMs;

[0042]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable;

[0043]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable;

[0044]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the system to which the present invention is applicable;

[0045]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a fourth preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable;

[0046]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a clock recovery circuit;

[0047]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the device according to the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a first preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the system to which the present invention is applicable;

[0051]FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the system to which the present invention is applicable;

[0052]FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention; and

[0053]FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a fourth preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout the drawings, substantially the same or like parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a configuration of a NOLM (nonlinear optical loop mirror) applicable to the present invention. This NOLM includes a first optical coupler 6 including first and second optical paths 2 and 4 directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path 8 for connecting the first and second optical paths 2 and 4, and a second optical coupler 12 including a third optical path 10 directionally coupled to the loop optical path 8.

[0056] A part or the whole of the loop optical path 8 is provided by a nonlinear optical medium NL. The coupling ratio of the first optical coupler 6 is set substantially to 1:1.

[0057] The operation of this NOLM will now be described in brief. When probe light having a wavelength λprobe is input into the first optical path 2 of the optical coupler 6 and an optical signal having a wavelength λsig is input into the third optical path 10 of the optical coupler 12, a converted optical signal having a wavelength λprobe is output from the second optical path 4 of the optical coupler 6. The probe light may be continuous-wave (CW) light or optical pulses. In this example shown, the probe light is CW light.

[0058] The probe light is divided into two components having the same power by the optical coupler 6. The two components propagate in the loop optical path 8 clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, with exactly the same optical path length, and are next subjected to a phase shift φ for each by the nonlinear optical medium NL. Thereafter, they are combined by the optical coupler 6. In combining these components at the optical coupler 6, they are equal in power and phase to each other, so that resultant light obtained by this combination is output from the first optical path 2 but not output from the second optical path 4 as if it is reflected by a mirror.

[0059] When an optical signal is input from the middle of the loop optical path 8 by the optical coupler 12, this optical signal propagates in the loop optical path 8 in only one direction thereof (e.g., clockwise in FIG. 1), and the nonlinear refractive index of the nonlinear optical medium NL changes for the light propagating in this direction only when on-pulses pass therethrough. Accordingly, in combining the two components of the probe light at the optical coupler 6, the phases of the two components of the probe light at their portions synchronous with off-pulses of the optical signal are coincident with each other, and the phases of the two components of the probe light at their portions synchronous with on-pulses of the optical signal are different from each other. Letting Δφ denote a phase difference in the latter case, an output proportional to [1−cos(Δφ)] is obtained from the second optical path 4 of the optical coupler 6.

[0060] By setting the power of the input optical signal so that the phase difference becomes π, it is possible to perform a switching operation such that the two components combined upon passing of the on-pulses are output only from the second optical path 4. Thus, the conversion from the optical signal having the wavelength λsig into the converted optical signal having the wavelength λprobe is performed. That is, wavelength conversion is performed on the data of the optical signal.

[0061] Assuming that an optical Kerr effect (cross-phase modulation (XPM) by the optical signal and the probe light) is used as the nonlinear optical effect, the phase shift Δφ is proportional to γPL, where γ is the nonlinear coefficient of the nonlinear optical medium NL, P is the optical power in the nonlinear optical medium NL, and L is the length of interaction of the optical Kerr effect in the nonlinear optical medium NL.

[0062]FIG. 2 is a graph showing the output characteristic of the NOLM with respect to the phase difference Δφ. In a main part of this graph, the vertical axis represents the power Pout of the converted optical signal output from the second optical path 4, and the horizontal axis represents the phase difference Δφ. In the cosine curve depicted by reference numeral 14, the phase difference Δφ giving a minimum value corresponds to 0, and the phase difference Δφ giving a maximum value corresponds to π. Accordingly, by making the “0” level (Pspace) and the “1” level (Pmark) of the input optical signal respectively correspond to 0 and π of the phase difference Δφ, noise accompanying the input optical signal can be suppressed. This is due to the fact that the conversion in accordance with [1−cos(Δφ)]/2 exhibits a saturable characteristic near the leading edge or the peak of each pulse unlike linear amplification conversion.

[0063] A typical example of the nonlinear optical medium NL in the NOLM is an optical fiber. A dispersion shifted fiber (DSF) is mainly used as the optical fiber used in the NOLM, and its length is usually several km. Further, a NOLM using an SOA (semiconductor optical amplifier) as the nonlinear optical medium NL has also been proposed (SLALOM).

[0064] The SOA type NOLM is superior in compactness and integration. However, it has disadvantages such that the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio upon the conversion is reduced by the influence of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise added from the SOA and that speed limitation is caused by a carrier effect.

[0065] On the other hand, the fiber type NOLM has an advantage such that the response time of the third-order nonlinear optical effect in the fiber is very short as on the order of femto-seconds. However, since a long fiber is required, high-precision dispersion management is necessary to eliminate speed limitation. The fiber type NOLM has other problems such that it is difficult to cope with the dependence of an input optical signal upon a polarization state and with polarization fluctuations in the loop.

[0066] The present inventor proposed a compact NOLM using a highly nonlinear dispersion shifted fiber (HNL-DSF) in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10-176316 (filed Jun. 23, 1998). The present invention mainly provides a high-performance waveform shaping device configured by cascading a plurality of NOLMs each similar to that proposed above by the present inventor to realize optical signal processing such as optical 2R by using this waveform shaping device. The term of “2R” means two functions of Reshaping (amplitude regeneration) and Regeneration (waveform equalization and noise suppression).

[0067] As a nonlinear optical effect applicable to optical signal processing in an optical communication system, it is considered to apply an optical Kerr effect such as three-wave mixing in a second-order nonlinear optical medium or self-phase modulation (SPM), cross-phase modulation (XPM), and four-wave mixing (FWM) in a third-order nonlinear optical medium. Examples of the second-order nonlinear optical medium include InGaAs and LiNbO₃. Examples of the third-order nonlinear optical medium include an optical fiber and a semiconductor medium such as a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and a distributed feedback laser diode (DFB-LD).

[0068] In particular, the present invention may employ an optical Kerr effect in an optical fiber. A single-mode fiber is suitable as the optical fiber, and especially a dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF) having a relatively small chromatic dispersion is preferable.

[0069] In general, the third-order nonlinear coefficient γ of an optical fiber is expressed as follows:

γ=ωn ₂ /cA _(eff)  (1)

[0070] where ω is the optical angular frequency, c is the velocity of light in a vacuum, and n₂ and A_(eff) are the nonlinear refractive index and the effective core area of the optical fiber, respectively.

[0071] The nonlinear coefficient γ of a conventional DSF is as small as about 2.6 W⁻¹km⁻¹, so a fiber length of several km to 10 km or more is necessary to obtain sufficient conversion efficiency. If a shorter DSF can be used to realize sufficient conversion efficiency, the zero-dispersion wavelength can be managed with high accuracy, thereby realizing high-speed and wide-band conversion.

[0072] In general, for enhancement of the third-order nonlinear effect of an optical fiber, it is effective to increase a light intensity by increasing the nonlinear refractive index n₂ in Eq. (1) or by reducing a mode field diameter (MFD) corresponding to the effective core area A_(eff) in Eq. (1).

[0073] The nonlinear refractive index n₂ can be increased by doping the clad with fluorine or the like or by doping the core with a high concentration of GeO₂, for example. By doping the core with 25 to 30 mol % of GeO₂, a large value of 5×10⁻²⁰ m²/W or more (about 3.2×10⁻²⁰ m²/W for a usual silica fiber) can be obtained as the nonlinear refractive index n₂.

[0074] On the other hand, the MFD can be reduced by designing a relative refractive-index difference Δ between the core and the clad or by designing the core shape. Such design of a DSF is similar to that of a dispersion compensating fiber (DCF). For example, by doping the core with 25 to 30 mol % of GeO₂ and setting the relative refractive-index difference Δ to 2.5 to 3.0%, a small value of less than 4 μm can be obtained as the MFD. Owing to the combined effects of increasing the nonlinear refractive index n₂ and reducing the MFD, an optical fiber (HNL-DSF) having a large value of 15 W⁻¹km⁻¹ or more as the nonlinear coefficient γ can be obtained.

[0075] As another important factor, the HNL-DSF having a large nonlinear coefficient γ as mentioned above has a zero dispersion in a wavelength band used. This point can also be satisfied by setting each parameter in the following manner. That is, in general, a dispersion in a usual DCF increases in a normal dispersion region with an increase in refractive index difference Δ under the condition that the MFD is set constant. On the other hand, the dispersion decreases with an increase in core diameter, whereas the dispersion increases with a decrease in core diameter. Accordingly, the dispersion can be reduced to zero by increasing the core diameter under the condition that the MFD is set to a certain value in a wavelength band used.

[0076] A phase shift due to the optical Kerr effect in an optical fiber having a length L is proportional to γP_(P)L where P_(P) is the average pump light power. Accordingly, the fiber having a nonlinear coefficient γ of 15 W⁻¹km⁻¹ can achieve the same conversion efficiency as that by a usual DSF even when the fiber length is reduced to about 2.6/15≈1/5.7 as compared with the usual DSF. As mentioned above, the usual DSF requires a length of about 10 km for sufficient conversion efficiency. To the contrary, the HNL-DSF having a large nonlinear coefficient γ as mentioned above can obtain a similar effect with a reduced length of about 1 to 2 km. Practically, loss in the fiber is reduced in an amount corresponding to a decrease in fiber length, so that the fiber can be further shortened to obtain the same efficiency. Thus in a short fiber, controllability of the zero-dispersion wavelength can be improved, and ultra wide-band conversion can be achieved as will be hereinafter described. Further, when the fiber length is several km, polarization can be fixed, that is, a polarization maintaining ability can be ensured. Therefore, application of the HNL-DSF to the present invention is greatly effective in achieving high conversion efficiency and wide conversion band and removing polarization dependence.

[0077] To effectively produce an optical Kerr effect, especially XPM by using an optical fiber and improve the efficiency of conversion from the optical signal into the converted optical signal, phase matching between the probe light and the optical signal must be achieved. The phase matching will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0078]FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating the phase matching in the NOLM. It is now assumed that both the probe light having a wavelength λprobe supplied to the optical path 2 and the optical signal having a wavelength λsig supplied to the optical path 10 are optical pulses. The optical pulses as the probe light are branched to first probe pulses propagating clockwise in the loop optical path 8 and second probe pulses propagating counterclockwise in the loop optical path 8 by the optical coupler 6. The optical pulses as the optical signal are passed through the optical coupler 12 and propagate clockwise as signal pulses in the loop optical path 8.

[0079] A phase matching condition in the loop optical path 8 is given by timing coincidence of the signal pulses and the first probe pulses both propagating clockwise in the loop optical path 8. If the timing coincidence of the signal pulses and the first probe pulses is not achieved, optical Kerr shift by XPM is limited to cause a difficulty of effective switch operation or gate operation.

[0080] Since the wavelength of the signal pulses and the wavelength of the first probe pulses are different from each other, the group velocity of the signal pulses and the group velocity of the first probe pulses are different from each other, resulting in occurrence of timing deviation proportional to the length of the loop optical path 8 (walk-off). To avoid this possibility, wavelength location is preferably selected so that the group velocity of the signal pulses and the first probe pulses become equal to each other.

[0081] The most effective wavelength location for minimizing the timing deviation is obtained by locating the wavelength of the signal pulses and the wavelength of the first probe pulses in substantially symmetrical relationship with respect to the zero-dispersion wavelength of the loop optical path 8. Over a wide band near the zero-dispersion wavelength, the chromatic dispersion changes substantially linearly, so that a good phase matching condition can be obtained by making the group velocities of the signal pulses and the first probe pulses coincide with each other by the above-mentioned wavelength location.

[0082] Thus according to an aspect of the present invention, the phase matching condition can be obtained by satisfying the relation of λsig+λprobe=2λ₀ where λ₀ is the zero-dispersion wavelength of the loop optical path, thus improving the efficiency of conversion from the optical signal into the converted optical signal.

[0083] However, if there are variations in the zero-dispersion wavelength itself along the fiber, the group velocities become different from each other in spite of the above wavelength location, causing a limit to a conversion band and a convertible signal rate. Thus, a conversion band by the fiber is limited by dispersion. If dispersion along the fiber is perfectly controlled, for example, if a fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength uniform over the entire length (exactly, the nonlinear length) is fabricated, a conversion band infinite in fact (unlimitedly wide in a range where the wavelength dependence of dispersion is linear) could be obtained by locating the wavelengths of the probe light and the optical signal in symmetrical relationship with respect to this uniform zero-dispersion wavelength. Actually, however, the zero-dispersion wavelength varies along the fiber, causing a deviation of the phase matching condition from an ideal condition to result in a limit of the conversion band.

[0084] A first method for realizing a wide conversion band is to use an HNL-DSF as a part or the whole of the loop optical path 8. In the case that the HNL-DSF is used, sufficient conversion can be achieved with a length of about 1 to 2 km, so that dispersion controllability can be improved to easily obtain a wide-band characteristic. In particular, by suppressing variations in the zero-dispersion wavelength near an input end where the efficiency of production of an optical Kerr effect is high, the conversion band can be widened most efficiently. Further, by cutting the fiber into a plurality of small sections and next joining any of the small sections similar in zero-dispersion wavelength by splicing or the like (in an order different from the initial order counted from a fiber end), a wide conversion band can be obtained although an average dispersion over the entire length is unchanged.

[0085] Alternatively, many fibers each having a length (e.g., hundreds of meters or less) allowing high-accuracy dispersion control required to obtain a sufficiently wide conversion band may be prepared in advance, and any of these fibers having a required zero-dispersion wavelength may be combined to be spliced, thereby fabricating a fiber having a length required to obtain a required conversion efficiency.

[0086] In the case of widening the conversion band as mentioned above, it is effective to gather the sections of the fiber having less variations in zero-dispersion wavelength near an input end (e.g., both ends of a nonlinear optical medium) where the light intensity is high. Further, the conversion band can be further widened by increasing the number of sections of the fiber as required, or by alternately arranging the positive and negative signs of dispersion at a relatively large-dispersion portion separate from the input end to thereby suitably combine the small sections.

[0087] The degree of reducing the length of each section in cutting the optical fiber may be based on the nonlinear length, for example. The phase matching in a third-order nonlinear effect in a fiber sufficiently shorter than the nonlinear length may be considered to depend on the average dispersion of the fiber. As an example, in a third-order nonlinear effect using a pump light power of about 30 mW in a fiber having a nonlinear coefficient γ of 2.6 W⁻¹km⁻¹, the nonlinear length is about 12.8 km. In this example, the length of each section is set to about {fraction (1/10)} of 12.8 km, i.e., about 1 km. As another example, in a third-order nonlinear effect using a pump light power of about 30 mW in a fiber having a nonlinear coefficient γ of 15 W⁻¹km⁻¹, the nonlinear length is about 2.2 km. In this example, the length of each section is set to about {fraction (1/10)} of 2.2 km, i.e., about 200 m. In any case, a wide conversion band can be obtained by measuring an average zero-dispersion wavelength of fiber sections each sufficiently shorter than the nonlinear length and combining any of the fiber sections having almost the same zero-dispersion wavelength to thereby configure a fiber achieving a required conversion efficiency.

[0088] Additional information on such a method of broadening the band of FWM by a fiber is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10-176316.

[0089] It is effective to set the zero-dispersion wavelength of a fiber and the wavelength of pump light substantially equal to each other for the production of FWM. However, if the power of pump light, signal light, or converted light exceeds a threshold value of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in the fiber, the efficiency of production of FWM is reduced. To suppress the effect of SBS, the pump light or signal light is subjected to frequency modulation or phase modulation. In such modulation, a modulating rate of hundreds of kHz is good enough, and in the case that the signal light is a high-speed signal having a signal rate on the order of Gb/s, the modulation has almost no adverse effect on the signal light.

[0090] The operation of the NOLM shown in FIG. 1 requires maintaining the polarization state of the probe light in the loop optical path 8. That is, after the two components of the probe light separated by the optical coupler 6 propagate in the loop optical path 8 clockwise and counterclockwise, the two components must be returned to the optical coupler 6 in the same polarization state.

[0091] By using the HNL-DSF, the loop optical path 8 can be configured with a short length enough to maintain the polarization state. For example, the polarization state in the loop optical path 8 can be adjusted by using a polarization controller.

[0092] Basically, the polarization state of the optical signal is desirably made substantially coincident with the polarization state of the probe light. However, the polarization states of the optical signal and the probe light may be influenced by polarization dispersion or the like in the fiber. Accordingly, it is desirable to optimize the polarization states of the optical signal and the probe light so that the power of the output light becomes maximum.

[0093]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable. This device includes a first nonlinear loop mirror (NOLM1) and a second nonlinear loop mirror (NOLM2) cascaded with each other. Each of the NOLM1 and the NOLM2 includes a first optical coupler 6 including first and second optical paths 2 and 4 directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path 8 for connecting the first and second optical paths 2 and 4, and a second optical coupler 12 including a third optical path 10 directionally coupled to the loop optical path 8.

[0094] The coupling ratio of the first optical coupler 6 is set substantially to 1:1. A part or the whole of the loop optical path 8 is provided by a nonlinear optical medium. More specifically, the loop optical path 8 is provided by an HNL-DSF in this preferred embodiment, so as to obtain a wide conversion band and the above-mentioned additional effects.

[0095] To cascade the NOLM1 and the NOLM2, the second optical path 4 of the NOLM1 is optically connected to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM2.

[0096] First probe light having a wavelength λ₁ is supplied to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM1. An input optical signal (as signal light) having a wavelength λ_(s) (≠λ₁) and a power P_(s1) is supplied to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM1. As a result, an intermediate optical signal (as intermediate signal light) having the wavelength λ₁ and a power P_(s2) and synchronous with the input optical signal is output from the second optical path 4 of the NOLM1. The intermediate optical signal output from the NOLM1 is supplied to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM2. Second probe light having a wavelength λ₂ (≠λ₁) is supplied to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM2. As a result, an output optical signal having the wavelength λ₂ and a power Pout and synchronous with the intermediate optical signal is output from the second optical path 4 of the NOLM2.

[0097] Each of the first and second probe lights may be CW light or clock pulses having a frequency equal to or different from the bit rate of the input optical signal and synchronous with the input optical signal.

[0098] While the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has a two-stage configuration using the two nonlinear loop mirrors, three or more nonlinear loop mirrors may be cascaded to configure a similar device having three or more stages in the present invention.

[0099] By applying the present invention to the device having such a multistage configuration (inclusive of the above two-stage configuration), at least two technical effects as described below can be obtained.

[0100] The first technical effect is that the degree of freedom of wavelength conversion is large in the device according to the present invention. For example, by setting the sign of the difference between the wavelength λ₁ and the wavelength λ_(s) equal to the sign of the difference between the wavelength λ₂ and the wavelength λ₁ as shown in FIG. 5A, the wavelength conversion can be made larger than that in the case of the one-stage configuration. Alternatively, by setting the wavelength λ₂ substantially equal to the wavelength λ_(s) as shown in FIG. 5B, waveform shaping can be performed without wavelength conversion. Such waveform shaping without wavelength conversion is impossible in the one-stage configuration. Although not shown, the wavelength λ₂ may be set between the wavelength λ₁ and the wavelength λ_(s). In this case, the wavelength λ₁ and the wavelength λ_(s) can be made largely different from each other, so that unwanted light can be easily removed, for example. While this feature has been described for the two-stage configuration, more flexible wavelength conversion can be performed by increasing the number of stages to three or more.

[0101] The second technical effect is that the waveform shaping function in the device according to the present invention is improved as compared with the case of the one-stage configuration. As mentioned above, the input-output characteristic in the one-stage configuration is expressed as {1−cos(Δφ)}/2=sin²(Δφ/2). Accordingly, the normalized input-output function (characteristic function) fn(x) in an n-stage configuration (where n is a natural number) can be expressed as follows:

fn(x)=sin² {πf _((n-1))(x)/2}

f ₀(x)=x

[0102]FIG. 6 is a graph obtained by plotting this function. It is understood from FIG. 6 that the larger the number of stages, the more the operation of the device approaches a digital operation (corresponding to the case of n=∞). That is, the operation in the case of n=2 approaches a digital operation more than the operation in the case of n=1, so that more excellent waveform shaping characteristic can be expected. Accordingly, the present invention can provide excellent waveform shaping and noise suppression that cannot be obtained by the conventional NOLM having a one-stage configuration.

[0103] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an HNL-DSF is used as the loop optical path 8 of each of the NOLM1 and the NOLM2. The dispersion of the HNL-DSF can be suitably optimized according to the bit rate or pulse shape of signal light. For example, in the case of a high-bit-rate signal using short pulses, the dispersion is preferably set so that the walk-off between two pulses (refer to the previous description with reference to FIG. 3) does not occur. As an example, it is considered to arrange the zero-dispersion wavelength of the HNL-DSF near the intermediate between the wavelength of the signal light (the wavelength λ_(s) of the input optical signal or the wavelength λ₁ of the intermediate optical signal) and the wavelength of the probe light (the wavelength λ₁ of the first probe light or the wavelength λ₂ of the second probe light). In this case, the two pulses have substantially the same group velocity in each of the NOLM1 and the NOLM2, so that the walk-off can be minimized. Further, the determination of which of the signal light wavelength and the probe light wavelength is to be arranged in a normal dispersive region and the other is to be arranged in an anomalous dispersive region may be suitably optimized according to the characteristics.

[0104] Thus according to an aspect of the present invention, the HNL-DSF providing the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM1 has a zero-dispersion wavelength substantially intermediate between the wavelength λ₁ and the wavelength λ_(s), and the HNL-DSF providing the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM2 has a zero-dispersion wavelength substantially intermediate between the wavelength λ₁ and the wavelength λ₂. With this arrangement, the occurrence of the walk-off can be prevented to allow waveform shaping of a high-bit-rate signal using short pulses.

[0105] Alternatively, the zero-dispersion wavelength may be set longer or shorter than the wavelengths of the two pulses. In this case, the walk-off cannot be minimized. However, the following merits can be obtained. In the case of setting the zero-dispersion wavelength to a longer wavelength, both the signal light wavelength and the probe light wavelength fall in the normal dispersive region, so that a modulation instability effect can be suppressed. Conversely, in the case of setting the zero-dispersion wavelength to a shorter wavelength, both the signal light wavelength and the probe light wavelength fall in the anomalous dispersive region, so that a pulse compression effect can be used. Such setting of the zero-dispersion wavelength may be determined according to actual system conditions.

[0106] Thus according to an aspect of the present invention, the wavelengths λ₁ and λ_(s) fall in one of the normal dispersive region and the anomalous dispersive region of the HNL-DSF providing the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM1, and the wavelengths λ₁ and λ₂ fall in one of the normal dispersive region and the anomalous dispersive region of the HNL-DSF providing the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM2. With this arrangement, a modulation instability effect can be suppressed or a pulse compression effect can be used.

[0107] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each loop optical path 8 is configured from an HNL-DSF. In the HNL-DSF, its third-order nonlinear coefficient can be increased 5 to 10 times that of a conventional DSF, so that the product of the length and the optical power required to set the phase difference Δφ to π can be reduced to ⅕ to {fraction (1/10)}. Accordingly, a required length for the same signal power can also be reduced to ⅕ to {fraction (1/10)}, with the result that a sufficient characteristic can be obtained with a reduced length of 1 km or less. As a result, it is possible to provide a NOLM which can suppress a signal rate limit due to chromatic dispersion, can eliminate the polarization dependence of an input optical signal, and can eliminate the need for measures against polarization fluctuations in the loop optical path 8.

[0108] Thus according to an aspect of the present invention, each loop optical path 8 is provided by an optical fiber as a nonlinear optical medium. The optical fiber has a nonlinear coefficient large enough to reduce the length of the optical fiber to such an extent that the optical fiber has a polarization plane preserving ability. Accordingly, the polarization dependence of an input optical signal can be reduced. Alternatively, a polarization maintaining fiber as the optical fiber providing each loop optical path 8 may be used for the same purpose.

[0109]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable. In this preferred embodiment, the loop optical path 8 of each of the NOLM1 and the NOLM2 is composed of half portions 8-1 and 8-2 each for giving a phase shift Δφ/2. Each of the half portions 8-1 and 8-2 is provided by a polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) type HNL-DSF.

[0110] Since the total phase shift given by both the half portions 8-1 and 8-2 becomes Δφ, waveform shaping can be performed as in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0111] Particularly in this preferred embodiment, a λ/2 plate function 16 for providing orthogonal polarization states is additionally provided in the vicinity of a middle point of each loop optical path 8, i.e., at a connection point between the half portions 8-1 and 8-2. For example, the λ/2 plate function 16 is obtained by splicing the half portions 8-1 and 8-2 so that their principal axes become orthogonal to each other.

[0112] With this arrangement, the dependence of conversion efficiency upon the polarization state of an input optical signal can be removed. Furthermore, the addition of the λ/2 plate function 16 can suppress polarization dispersion due to a difference in group velocity between two polarization modes of each polarization maintaining fiber.

[0113] More specifically, by 45° inclining the plane of polarization of each probe light to be introduced through the optical coupler 6 into the loop optical path 8 with respect to the principal axis of each polarization maintaining fiber, it is possible to obtain a conversion efficiency not dependent on the polarization state of an optical signal to be introduced from the optical coupler 12 of the NOLM1 into the loop optical path 8.

[0114] The conversion efficiency is herein defined as the ratio between the power of an input optical signal to be introduced through the optical coupler 12 into the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM1 and the power of an output optical signal to be output from the loop optical path 8 through the optical coupler 6 of the NOLM2.

[0115]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable. The operation of the NOLM1 is largely dependent on the magnitude of a phase shift in the optical Kerr effect, especially in XPM. Accordingly, it is desirable that the powers of the input optical signal and the first probe light to be introduced into the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM1 can be adjusted. To this end, this preferred embodiment employs a power controller 18 for adjusting the power P₁ of the first probe light and a power controller 20 for adjusting the power P_(s1) of the input optical signal. As each of the power controllers 18 and 20, a variable optical attenuator, a variable gain optical amplifier, or the combination thereof may be used.

[0116] The power controllers 18 and 20 are controlled by a control circuit 22. For example, the control circuit 22 controls at least one of the power controllers 18 and 20 according to an output signal from a power monitor 26 for receiving a part of the intermediate optical signal which part is extracted from the second optical path 4 by an optical coupler 24 so that the power of the intermediate optical signal detected by the power monitor 26 is increased. Alternatively, the control circuit 22 may control at least one of the power controllers 18 and 20 according to an output signal from a power monitor 30 for receiving a part of light output from the first optical path 2 by an optical coupler 28 in a direction opposite to the propagation direction of the first probe light so that the power detected by the power monitor 30 is decreased. The light output in the direction opposite to the propagation direction of the first probe light has the same wavelength λ₁ as that of the first probe light.

[0117] By performing such control, the power of at least one of the input optical signal and the first probe light can be controlled so that a proper phase difference is generated in the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM1. Therefore, a high conversion efficiency can be automatically maintained.

[0118] On the other hand, the operation of the NOLM2 is also largely dependent on the magnitude of a phase shift in the optical Kerr effect, especially in XPM. Accordingly, it is desirable that the powers of the intermediate optical signal and the second probe light to be introduced into the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM2 can be adjusted. To this end, this preferred embodiment employs a power controller 32 for adjusting the power P₂ of the second probe light and a power controller 34 for adjusting the power P_(s2) of the intermediate optical signal. As each of the power controllers 32 and 34, a variable optical attenuator, a variable gain optical amplifier, or the combination thereof may be used.

[0119] The power controllers 32 and 34 are controlled by the control circuit 22. For example, the control circuit 22 controls at least one of the power controllers 32 and 34 according to an output signal from a power monitor 38 for receiving a part of the output optical signal which part is extracted from the second optical path 4 by an optical coupler 36 so that the power of the output optical signal detected by the power monitor 38 is increased. Alternatively, the control circuit 22 may control at least one of the power controllers 32 and 34 according to an output signal from a power monitor 42 for receiving a part of light output from the first optical path 2 by an optical coupler 40 in a direction opposite to the propagation direction of the second probe light so that the power detected by the power monitor 42 is decreased. The light output in the direction opposite to the propagation direction of the second probe light has the same wavelength λ₂ as that of the second probe light.

[0120] By performing such control, the power of at least one of the intermediate optical signal and the second probe light can be controlled so that a proper phase difference is generated in the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM2. Therefore, a high conversion efficiency can be automatically maintained.

[0121] Optical filters 44, 46, and 48 are used to suppress noise light outside the band of the first probe light, the input optical signal, or the intermediate optical signal in the NOLM1. The optical filter 44 is provided between the power controller 18 and the first optical path 2 to act on the first probe light to be introduced from the first optical path 2 through the optical coupler 6 into the loop optical path 8. The optical filter 44 may be provided by an optical bandpass filter (BPF) having a pass band including the wavelength λ₁ of the first probe light.

[0122] The optical filter 46 is provided between the power controller 20 and the third optical path 10 to act on the input optical signal to be introduced from the third optical path 10 through the optical coupler 12 into the loop optical path 8. The optical filter 46 may be provided by an optical bandpass filter having a pass band including the wavelength λ_(s) of the input optical signal or an optical bandstop filter (BSF) having a stop band including the wavelength λ₁ of the first probe light.

[0123] The reason for improvement in SNR also in the case of using such an optical bandstop filter is that the input optical signal to be subjected to waveform shaping is generally accompanied by ASE noise by transmission and that the SNR of the intermediate optical signal can be improved by preliminarily removing a component of ASE noise in the vicinity of the wavelength λ₁ of the intermediate optical signal.

[0124] The optical filter 48 is connected to the second optical path 4 to act on the intermediate optical signal output from the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM1 through the optical coupler 6 to the second optical path 4. The optical filter 48 may be provided by an optical bandpass filter having a pass band including the wavelength λ₁ of the intermediate optical signal or an optical bandstop filter having a stop band including the wavelength λ_(s) of the input optical signal.

[0125] The center wavelength in the pass band or the stop band of each filter coincides with the center wavelength of the first probe light or the center wavelength of the input optical signal. The width of the pass band or the stop band of each filter is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the width of the band of the input optical signal. Specific examples of each filter include a dielectric multilayer filter and a fiber grating filter.

[0126] Optical filters 50, 52, and 54 are used to suppress noise light outside the band of the second probe light, the intermediate optical signal, or the output optical signal in the NOLM2. The optical filter 50 is provided between the power controller 32 and the first optical path 2 to act on the second probe light to be introduced from the first optical path 2 through the optical coupler 6 into the loop optical path 8. The optical filter 50 may be provided by an optical bandpass filter having a pass band including the wavelength λ₂ of the second probe light.

[0127] The optical filter 52 is provided between the power controller 34 and the third optical path 10 to act on the intermediate optical signal to be introduced from the third optical path 10 through the optical coupler 12 into the loop optical path 8. The optical filter 52 may be provided by an optical bandstop filter having a stop band including the wavelength λ₂ of the second probe light.

[0128] The optical filter 54 is connected to the second optical path 4 to act on the output optical signal output from the loop optical path 8 of the NOLM2 through the optical coupler 6 to the second optical path 4. The optical filter 54 may be provided by an optical bandpass filter having a pass band including the wavelength λ₂ of the output optical signal or an optical bandstop filter having a stop band including the wavelength λ₁ of the intermediate optical signal.

[0129] The center wavelength in the pass band or the stop band of each filter coincides with the center wavelength of the second probe light or the center wavelength of the intermediate optical signal. The width of the pass band or the stop band of each filter is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the width of the band of the input optical signal or the intermediate optical signal. Specific examples of each filter include a dielectric multilayer filter and a fiber grating filter.

[0130]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the system to which the present invention is applicable. This system has a waveform shaping device (as optical regenerator) 56. The waveform shaping device 56 may be provided by any one of the above preferred embodiments of the device according to the present invention or the device to which the present invention is applicable. The waveform shaping device 56 has an input port 56A (corresponding to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM1) for first probe light, an input port 56B (corresponding to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM2) for second probe light, an input port 56C (corresponding to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM1) for an input optical signal, and an output port 56D (corresponding to the second optical path 4 of the NOLM2) for an output optical signal.

[0131] A first probe light source 58 is connected to the input port 56A, and the first probe light (wavelength λ₁) output from the light source 58 is supplied to the waveform shaping device 56. A second probe light source 60 is connected to the input port 56B, and the second probe light (wavelength λ₂) output from the light source 60 is supplied to the waveform shaping device 56. In the case that the device according to the present invention to be hereinafter described is used as the waveform shaping device, clock pulses obtained according to the output from the NOLM1 can be used as the second probe light, so that the second probe light source 60 is not required.

[0132] A first optical fiber transmission line 62 is connected to the input port 56C, and the input optical signal (wavelength λ_(s)) transmitted by the optical fiber transmission line 62 is supplied to the waveform shaping device 56. A second optical fiber transmission line 64 is connected to the output port 56D, and the output optical signal (wavelength λ₂) output from the waveform shaping device 56 is transmitted by the optical fiber transmission line 64.

[0133] An optical transmitter (TX) 66 for supplying the input optical signal to the optical fiber transmission line 62 is connected to an input end of the optical fiber transmission line 62, and an optical receiver (RX) 68 for receiving the output optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber transmission line 64 is connected to an output end of the optical fiber transmission line 64.

[0134] For example, optical amplitude (intensity) modulation is adopted as a modulation method for an optical signal in the optical transmitter 66. In this case, direct detection can be performed in the optical receiver 68, for example.

[0135] Each of the optical fiber transmission lines 62 and 64 may be provided by a single-mode silica fiber, a 1.3 μm zero-dispersion fiber, or a 1.55 μm dispersion shifted fiber, for example.

[0136] By configuring the HNL-DSF used as the nonlinear optical medium of each of the NOLM1 and the NOLM2 in the waveform shaping device 56 from a single-mode type and setting the mode field diameter of the HNL-DSF smaller than the mode field diameter of each of the optical fiber transmission lines 62 and 64, it is possible to obtain a nonlinear coefficient large enough to reduce the length of the HNL-DSF.

[0137] According to this system, the operation of waveform shaping according to the present invention is allowed in the waveform shaping device 56, and an output optical signal obtained by this operation with or without wavelength conversion can be transmitted by the second optical fiber transmission line 64.

[0138] Although not shown, one or more optical amplifiers may be arranged along an optical path including the optical fiber transmission lines 62 and 64. In the case that an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is used as each optical amplifier, ASE noise is generated in each optical amplifier and it is accumulated along the optical path. Accordingly, in the system shown in FIG. 9, the SNR can be improved on the principle of waveform shaping or noise suppression in the waveform shaping device 56 as mentioned above.

[0139] While the waveform shaping device 56 is used as a repeater so as to be provided between the optical fiber transmission lines 62 and 64 in this preferred embodiment, the device according to the present invention may be provided inside or in the vicinity of the optical repeater 68, thereby allowing the improvement in receiver sensitivity.

[0140] Although not shown, the system shown in FIG. 9 may further include a dispersion compensator for compensating the dispersion of at least one of the optical fiber transmission lines 62 and 64. For example, the dispersion compensator provides a dispersion opposite in sign to the dispersion of each optical fiber transmission line. The absolute value of the dispersion of the dispersion compensator is adjusted so that the receiving condition in the optical receiver 68 becomes optimum. By using the dispersion compensator, the chromatic dispersion generated in each optical fiber transmission line can be suppressed to thereby allow long-haul transmission.

[0141] In each preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable, each probe light may be CW light or optical pulses. For example, CW light may be used as the first probe light, and optical pulses synchronous with the input optical signal may be used as the second probe light (this example will be hereinafter described in detail). In the case that the optical pulses are clock pulses oscillating at the reference frequency of the input optical signal, the output optical signal is a signal subjected to retiming at this reference frequency. That is, by using this retiming function with the waveform shaping function, it is possible to perform 3R processing on the optical level. The term of “3R” means 2R mentioned above plus Retiming. In modifications, optical pulses may be used as the first probe light, and CW light may be used as the second probe light. Further, optical pulses may be used as both the first probe light and the second probe light.

[0142]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a fourth preferred embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applicable. This device includes an optical branch 70, clock recovery circuit 72, timing adjuster 73, waveform shaping device 74, and probe light source 76. Supplied to the optical branch 70 is signal light whose waveform has been distorted by dispersion or nonlinear optical effects during fiber transmission, signal light whose waveform has been perturbed by the accumulation of ASE noise in optical amplifiers during repeatered transmission using the optical amplifiers, or signal light involving the accumulation of jitter due to polarization dispersion or the like. The optical branch 70 branches the input signal light into first and second signal lights. The first and second signal lights are supplied to the clock recovery circuit 72 and the waveform shaping device 74, respectively. The clock recovery circuit 72 generates clock pulses according to the first signal light supplied. In this preferred embodiment, the input signal light has a wavelength λ_(s) and a speed (bit rate) f_(s), and the clock pulses have a wavelength λ_(c) and a frequency f_(s). The clock pulses generated from the clock recovery circuit 72 are adjusted in timing by the timing adjuster 73, and next supplied to the waveform shaping device 74.

[0143] The waveform shaping device 74 has an input port 74A for receiving probe light from the probe light source 76, an input port 74B for receiving the clock pulses from the clock recovery circuit 72, an input port 74C for receiving the second signal light from the optical branch 70, and an output port 74D. The waveform shaping device 74 performs waveform shaping according to the second signal light and the clock pulses supplied, and outputs regenerated signal light from the output port 74D. The regenerated signal light has the wavelength λ_(c) and the speed f_(s).

[0144] In this preferred embodiment, the port 74A corresponds to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM1, the port 74B corresponds to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM2, the port 74C corresponds to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM1, and the port 74D corresponds to the second optical path 4 of the NOLM2. Accordingly, the probe light supplied from the probe light source 76 is used as the first probe light, and the clock pulses are used as the second probe light. As a result, the wavelength of the regenerated signal light is equal to the wavelength of the clock pulses.

[0145] As a modification, the clock pulses may be input to the port 74A, and the probe light from the probe light source 76 may be input to the port 74B. In this case, the wavelength of the regenerated signal light is equal to the wavelength of the probe light supplied from the probe light source 76.

[0146] As another modification, the probe light source 76 may be omitted, and the clock pulses may be branched into first and second clock pulses. One of the first and second clock pulses may be subjected to wavelength conversion, and thereafter these first and second clock pulses may be input to the ports 74A and 74B, respectively.

[0147] Thus according to this preferred embodiment, waveform shaping is performed by using regenerated clock pulses, thereby allowing signal regeneration including timing regeneration on the optical level. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an all-optical 3R signal regenerating device according to this preferred embodiment.

[0148] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the waveform shaping device 74 functions as an AND circuit for the signal having the speed f_(s) and the clock pulses having the frequency f_(s). By setting the frequency of the clock pulses to a value obtained by multiplying the signal speed by a fraction (e.g., in the case that the signal speed is 40 Gb/s, setting the frequency to 10 GHz), demultiplexing of an OTDM (optical time division multiplexed) signal can be performed, for example.

[0149] The clock recovery circuit 72 may be provided by a mode-locked laser for sensing (pulling in) a frequency component contained in signal light and generating clock pulses having a reference frequency from the frequency component or opto-electric type in which clock is recovered by electric circuit. Alternatively, signal light having a wavelength λ_(s) and a speed f_(s) may be input into a laser continuously oscillating at a wavelength λ_(c), and an optical modulator included in this laser may be subjected to amplitude modulation or frequency modulation by the signal light. Then, the optical path length of the laser may be adjusted so that the modulation frequency corresponds to the resonance period of the laser, thereby generating clock pulses having a wavelength λ_(c) and a frequency f_(s).

[0150]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the clock recovery circuit. This clock recovery circuit includes an optical path 82 provided between an input port 78 and an output port 80, and an active ring laser 84 including an optical loop 83 optically coupled (e.g., directionally coupled) to the optical path 82.

[0151] Signal light having a wavelength λ_(s) and a speed f_(s) is supplied to the input port 78. The active ring laser 84 includes an optical amplifier 86 for compensating loss in the optical loop 83 so that laser oscillation occurs in the optical loop 83, an adjuster 88 for adjusting the optical path length of the optical loop 83 so that the speed (or frequency) f_(s) becomes equal to an integral multiple of the reciprocal of a recirculation period of the optical loop 83, and an optical modulator (or nonlinear optical medium) 90 for mode-locking the laser oscillator according to the signal light. The active ring laser 84 may further include an optical bandpass filter 92 having a pass band including the wavelength λ_(c) of the laser oscillation.

[0152] With this configuration, the laser oscillation of the active ring laser 84 is mode-locked, so that clock pulses having the wavelength λ_(c) and the frequency f_(s) are generated and output from the output port 80. Accordingly, clock pulses can be obtained without the need for opto/electric conversion, and it is possible to provide an all-optical clock recovery circuit insensitive to the speed and pulse shape of signal light.

[0153] The optical modulator 90 may be provided by an electro/optic modulator such as a LiNbO₃ intensity modulator and an EA (electroabsorption) modulator. Alternatively, a modulation method using second-order or third-order nonlinear optical effects or cross gain modulation may be adopted. For example, in the case of using four-wave mixing in an optical fiber, the wavelength λ_(s) of signal light is set to a wavelength near the zero-dispersion wavelength of the fiber to effectively amplitude-modulate continuously oscillated light, thereby generating clock pulses. In the case of using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), signal light can be used as pump light. In the case of using four-wave mixing in a DFB-LD in its oscillating state, the wavelength of signal light is set to a wavelength different from the wavelength of oscillated light in the DFB-LD, and this signal light is input with a relatively high power to induce gain saturation, thereby modulating the efficiency of four-wave mixing. Further, the continuously oscillated light can be effectively amplitude-modulated by a cross gain modulation (XGM) effect. This effect of XGM is exhibited also in the case of using four-wave mixing in an SOA, so that XGM may be positively used.

[0154] Also in the case of using second-order nonlinear optical effects, substantially the same effect can be obtained by using signal light as pump light. On the other hand, in the case of using cross phase modulation (XPM), amplitude modulation can be generated by using polarization fluctuations due to phase modulation, for example.

[0155] Like the waveform shaping device 56 shown in FIG. 9, the device shown in FIG. 10 may be used as an all-optical 2R regenerative repeater or 3R regenerative repeater arranged along a transmission line, or may be used to improve a receiver sensitivity at a receiving end. In any case, high-quality transmission is allowed by combining this device with a repeating optical amplifier or an optical preamplifier. Further, in the case that the waveform of signal light is distorted by the dispersion or nonlinear optical effects in an optical fiber transmission line, it is effective to compensate the waveform by using a dispersion compensator or a nonlinear compensator (e.g., phase conjugator) and thereafter perform the waveform shaping or noise elimination.

[0156] While a plurality of NOLMs are cascaded in each preferred embodiment mentioned above, a plurality of interferometers based on the operating principle similar to that of the NOLMs may be cascaded. Each interferometer may be provided by an SOA-MZI or SOA-MI, for example.

[0157]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the device according to the present invention. This device includes a first waveform shaper 102 for accepting signal light to output intermediate signal light, an optical branch (e.g., optical coupler) 104 for dividing the intermediate signal light into first and second signal lights, a clock recovery circuit 72 for accepting the first signal light to output clock pulses, and a second waveform shaper 106 for accepting the second signal light and the clock pulses to output regenerated signal light synchronous with the clock pulses.

[0158] As each of the waveform shapers 102 and 106, the NOLM shown in FIG. 1 may be used. Further, the clock recovery circuit 72 has a specific configuration as shown in FIG. 11.

[0159] According to the basic configuration shown in FIG. 12, the waveform shapers 102 and 106 are used or an optical amplifier (not shown) is further used in addition to the waveform shapers 102 and 106, thereby obtaining optical-level 2R functions. Further, the clock pulses obtained in the clock recovery circuit 72 are supplied to the waveform shaper 106 to provide AND of the clock pulses and the second signal light, thereby effecting optical-level retiming and accordingly obtaining optical-level 3R functions.

[0160]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a first preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In contrast to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is characterized in that the clock pulses output from the clock recovery circuit 72 are used as second probe light in a NOLM2 as the second waveform shaper 106. The configuration of this preferred embodiment will now be described more specifically.

[0161] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 13, a NOLM1 and a NOLM2 are used as the first and second waveform shapers 102 and 106, respectively. Each of the NOLM1 and the NOLM2 includes a first optical coupler 6 including first and second optical paths 2 and 4 directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path 8 for connecting the first and second optical paths 2 and 4, and a second optical coupler 12 including a third optical path 10 directionally coupled to the loop optical path 8. To cascade the NOLM1 and the NOLM2, the second optical path 4 of the NOLM1 is optically connected to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM2.

[0162] The coupling ratio of the first optical coupler 6 is set substantially to 1:1. A part or the whole of the loop optical path 8 is provided by a nonlinear optical medium. More specifically, the loop optical path 8 is provided by an HNL-DSF in this preferred embodiment, so as to obtain a wide conversion band and the above-mentioned additional effects.

[0163] First probe light having a wavelength λ₁ is supplied to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM1. Signal light having a wavelength λ_(s) (≠λ₁) and a speed (bit rate) f_(s) is supplied to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM1. As the result of switching of the first probe light by the signal light, intermediate signal light having the wavelength λ₁ and the speed f_(s) is output from the second optical path 4 of the NOLM1. The intermediate signal light output from the NOLM1 is branched into first and second signal lights by the optical branch 104. The first signal light is supplied to the clock recovery circuit 72, and the second signal light is supplied to the third optical path 10 of the NOLM2. The clock pulses output from the clock recovery circuit 72 are supplied as second probe light (see FIG. 4) to the first optical path 2 of the NOLM2. The clock pulses have a wavelength λ_(c) and the frequency f_(s). As the result of switching of the clock pulses by the second signal light, regenerated signal light having the wavelength λ_(c) and the speed f_(s) and synchronous with the clock pulses is output from the second optical path 4 of the NOLM2.

[0164] The first probe light may be CW light or clock pulses having a frequency equal to or different from the bit rate of the signal light and synchronous with the signal light.

[0165] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the clock recovery circuit 72 regenerates the clock pulses according to the intermediate signal light output from the NOLM1. In the NOLM1, waveform shaping is made to some extent, so that clock regeneration can be performed more accurately and easily as compared with the case of regenerating clock pulses directly according to the signal light as in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 10. As a result, the optical gate function or AND operation in the NOLM2 becomes accurate to allow sufficient 3R functions. Further, although omitting the repeated description herein, the degree of freedom of wavelength conversion is large in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 13 as similar to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0166]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In contrast to the basic configuration shown in FIG. 12, the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is characterized in that an optical filter 108 is additionally provided between the clock recovery circuit 72 and the second waveform shaper 106. As the optical filter 108, an optical bandpass filter having a narrow band pass may be used. The center wavelength in the bass band is set so as to coincide with the wavelength of the clock pulses.

[0167] In the case that a mode-locked laser as shown in FIG. 11 is used as the clock recovery circuit 72, there is a possibility that the clock pulses obtained in the clock recovery circuit 72 may become excessively short in pulse width. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the clock pulses obtained in the clock recovery circuit 72 are passed through the optical filter 108, so that the pulse width of the clock pulses is suitably stretched. As a result, any trouble due to the above-mentioned shortening of the pulse width can be prevented.

[0168]FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the system to which the present invention is applicable. In contrast to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is characterized in that an optical gate device 110 unlimited to the waveform shaper 56 having a multistage configuration is used and that WDM is specifically applied. As the optical gate device 110, a NOLM as shown in FIG. 1 may be used. Probe light Eprobe output from a probe light source 112 is supplied to the optical gate device 110.

[0169] An optical multiplexer 113 is connected to an input end of an optical fiber transmission line 62. Optical signals E_(s1) to E_(s4) of four channels output from optical transmitters 114(#1) to 114(#4) are adjusted in position in the time domain by optical delay circuits 116(#1) to 116(#4), respectively, and thereafter supplied to the optical multiplexer 113.

[0170] The optical signals E_(s1) to E_(s4) have different wavelengths λ_(s1) to λ_(s4), respectively. The optical signals E_(s1) to E_(s4) are obtained by intensity modulation by short pulses each having a width sufficiently shorter than data repetition time T. These optical signals E_(s1) to E_(s4) are sequentially shifted in time by T/4 by the optical delay circuits 116(#1) to 116(#4), respectively. Accordingly, the signal light output from the optical multiplexer 113 becomes a wavelength division multiplexed signal in which the signal pulses of all the channels do not coincide with each other in the time domain.

[0171] The wavelength division multiplexed signal output from the optical multiplexer 113 is supplied to the optical gate device 110, in which the wavelengths of all the four channels are converted into the wavelength λ probe of the probe light. Accordingly, the converted signal light E_(c) output from the optical gate device 110 to the optical fiber transmission line 64 is an optical time division multiplexed signal (OTDM signal).

[0172] Thus, the wavelength division multiplexed signal can be converted into the optical time division multiplexed signal (WDM/OTDM conversion) according to the system shown in FIG. 15.

[0173] While the four-channel wavelength division multiplexed signal is illustrated in this preferred embodiment, the number of WDM channels is not limited to four. For example, in the case that an N-channel wavelength division multiplexed signal (N is an integer greater than 1) is used, an N-channel optical time division multiplexed signal is obtained. In this case, N optical delay circuits are used and the time shift provided by each optical delay circuit is set to T/N.

[0174] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the plural optical delay circuits 116(#1) to 116(#4) are used to change each timing of the plural optical signals constituting the WDM signal light (wavelength division multiplexed signal). Accordingly, in the case of applying this configuration to an optical repeater, the optical repeater becomes complicated in configuration. This point can be improved by the following preferred embodiment.

[0175]FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the system to which the present invention is applicable. In this preferred embodiment, a single optical delay circuit 118 is used to sequentially delay a plurality of optical signals constituting WDM signal light at a time. Thereafter, the WDM signal light output from the optical delay circuit 118 is supplied through the optical fiber transmission line 62 to the optical gate device 110. As the optical delay circuit 118, an optical medium providing chromatic dispersion may be used. For example, by using an optical fiber as the optical medium, which has a characteristic that the dispersion changes substantially linearly with wavelength, substantially linear delays can be given to a plurality of optical signals as in the case of adjusting the delay time in the plural optical delay circuits.

[0176] Thus, the single optical delay circuit is used in the system shown in FIG. 16 to simultaneously give the delays to the plural optical signals, thereby simplifying the configuration of the device to improve the reliability of the system.

[0177]FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In contrast to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 17 is characterized in that the signal light to be subjected to waveform shaping is WDM signal light obtained by wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths (λ_(s1) to λ_(s4)) and that a plurality of clock recovery circuits 72(#1) to 72(#4) are correspondingly used.

[0178] The WDM signal light is supplied through a polarization controller 122 and an optical fiber 120 as the optical delay circuit 118 (see FIG. 16) to the first waveform shaper 102. The optical fiber 120 has a chromatic dispersion β₂, and changes each timing of the plural optical signals constituting the WDM signal light in the time domain. The polarization controller 122 is provided to cope with the possibility that the waveform shapers 102 and 106 may have polarization dependence, and functions to make constant each polarization state of the plural optical signals constituting the WDM signal light. The polarization controller 122 may be configured by applying an optical gate using XPM (cross-phase modulation) or XGM (cross-gain modulation) in an SOA (semiconductor optical amplifier) to each wavelength channel.

[0179] In the case of using the above-mentioned optical gate as the polarization controller 122, the polarization plane of the light to be output from the polarization controller 122 is fixed to the polarization plane of probe light in the optical gate, thereby coping with the polarization dependence of the waveform shapers 102 and 106. In this case, a polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) is preferably used as the optical fiber 120, so as to maintain the polarization plane of the light output from the polarization controller 122 and supply the light to the first waveform shaper 102. Further, in the case that the polarization maintaining ability of the optical fiber 120 is insufficient, the polarization controller 122 may be provided between the optical fiber 120 and the first waveform shaper 102.

[0180] The first waveform shaper 102 has the above-mentioned WDM/OTDM conversion function to output an optical time division multiplexed signal having a single wavelength as the intermediate signal light. In the case that the NOLM1 shown in FIG. 13 is used as the waveform shaper 102, the wavelength of the intermediate signal light coincides with the wavelength λ₁ of the first probe light. The intermediate signal light output from the waveform shaper 102 is divided into first and second signal lights by an optical branch 104. The first signal light is supplied to each of the clock recovery circuits 72(#1) to 72(#4), and the second signal light is supplied to the second waveform shaper 106.

[0181] The clock recovery circuits 72(#1) to 72(#4) regenerate clock pulses having wavelengths λ_(c1) to λ_(c4) according to the first signal light, respectively. Particularly in this preferred embodiment, the wavelengths λ_(c1) to λ_(c4) are set equal to the wavelengths λ_(s1) to λ_(s4), respectively, so as to make the wavelength relation in regenerated signal light to be output from the second waveform shaper 106 coincide with the wavelength relation in the WDM signal light input. The frequency of the clock pulses from each clock recovery circuit corresponds to the speed (repetition frequency; corresponding to the bit rate) of each of the plural optical signals constituting the WDM signal light.

[0182] Optical delay circuits 124(#1) to 124(#3) are additionally provided between the clock recovery circuits 72(#2) to 72(#4) and the second waveform shaper 106, respectively. The optical delay circuits 124(#1) to 124(#3) give delay times τ₁ to τ₃ to the clock pulses output from the clock recovery circuits 72(#2) to 72(#4), respectively. The delay times τ₁, τ₂, and τ₃ are set to a time interval from some first pulse to the second pulse, a time interval from the first pulse to the third pulse, and a time interval from the first pulse to the fourth pulse in the intermediate signal light, respectively.

[0183] With this configuration, the intermediate signal light (the second signal light) as an optical time division multiplexed signal can simultaneously switch the plural clock pulses in the second waveform shaper 106, thereby allowing 3R functions to the WDM signal light input into the first waveform shaper 102. Further, since the waveform shapers 102 and 106 are used commonly for the plural wavelength channels of the WDM signal light, the configuration of the device can be simplified to improve the reliability of the system.

[0184]FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a fourth preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In contrast to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 17 in which each clock pulse is obtained according to the optical time division multiplexed signal as the intermediate signal light, the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is characterized in that each clock pulse is obtained according to WDM signal light to be subjected to waveform shaping.

[0185] In this preferred embodiment, an optical branch 104′ is provided upstream of the first waveform shaper 102, more specifically, between the polarization controller 122 and the optical fiber 120, in place of the optical branch 104 shown in FIG. 17. A part of the WDM signal light branched by the optical branch 104′ is supplied to a plurality of optical filters 126(#1) to 126(#4) corresponding to the number of wavelength channels of the WDM signal light. The optical filters 126(#1) to 126(#4) have pass bands respectively corresponding to the wavelengths λ_(s1) to λ_(s4) of the plural optical signals constituting the WDM signal light. Accordingly, the plural optical signals of the WDM signal light can be extracted by the optical filters 126(#1) to 126(#4), respectively.

[0186] The clock recovery circuits 72(#1) to 72(#4) can easily regenerate clock pulses according to the optical signals extracted by the optical filters 126(#1) to 126(#4), respectively. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 17, each clock recovery circuit is required to regenerate the clock pulses having a period four times that of the optical time division multiplexed signal, according to the optical time division multiplexed signal, causing a possibility that the configuration of the clock recovery circuits may be complicated. In contrast thereto, the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 18 has an advantage that each clock recovery circuit can easily regenerate clock pulses having a period equal to that of the corresponding extracted optical signal, according to the corresponding extracted optical signal.

[0187] According to this preferred embodiment, the intermediate signal light (the second signal light) as an optical time division multiplexed signal can simultaneously switch the plural clock pulses in the second waveform shaper 106 as in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 17, thereby allowing 3R functions to the WDM signal light input into the first waveform shaper 102. Further, since the waveform shapers 102 and 106 are used commonly for the plural wavelength channels of the WDM signal light, the configuration of the device can be simplified to improve the reliability of the system.

[0188] By suitably setting the pass band of each of the optical filters 126(#1) to 126(#4) in this preferred embodiment, an arbitrary wavelength channel in the WDM signal light can be selected. Accordingly, the device shown in FIG. 18 can be effectively applied to an optical ADM (add/drop multiplexer) or optical cross-connect.

[0189] While the four-channel WDM signal light is illustrated in each of the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the number of WDM channels is not limited to four. For example, in the case that N-channel WDM signal light (N is an integer greater than 1) is used, an N-channel optical time division multiplexed signal is obtained, so that N clock recovery circuits are correspondingly used.

[0190] As each of the waveform shapers 102 and 106, a NOLM may be used as in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 13. However, each of the waveform shapers 102 and 106 is not limited to a NOLM in the present invention. For example, a general 2R regenerator, e.g., a 2R regenerator of such a type that a signal is processed on an electrical stage using opto/electric conversion, may be used as each of the waveform shapers 102 and 106 or clock recovery element 72.

[0191] According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to provide a method, device, and system for waveform shaping which can obtain sufficient 3R functions. Further, it is also possible to provide a method, device, and system for waveform shaping which are suitable for WDM.

[0192] The present invention is not limited to the details of the above described preferred embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and all changes and modifications as fall within the equivalence of the scope of the claims are therefore to be embraced by the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising the steps of: supplying signal light to a first waveform shaper to obtain intermediate signal light; dividing said intermediate signal light into first and second signal lights; supplying said first signal light to a clock recovery circuit to obtain a clock pulse; and supplying said second signal light and said clock pulse to a second waveform shaper to obtain regenerated signal light synchronous with said clock pulse.
 2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second waveform shapers comprises an optical gate using switching by cross-phase modulation.
 3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein: said optical gate comprises a nonlinear optical loop mirror; said nonlinear optical loop mirror comprising a first optical coupler including first and second optical paths directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path formed of a nonlinear optical medium for connecting said first and second optical paths, and a second optical coupler including a third optical path directionally coupled to said loop optical path.
 4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said clock recovery circuit comprises a mode-locked laser.
 5. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of supplying said clock pulse to an optical filter to stretch the pulse width of said clock pulse.
 6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said signal light comprises WDM signal light obtained by wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths.
 7. A method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of supplying said WDM signal light to an optical delay circuit to change each timing of said plurality of optical signals in the time domain.
 8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein said optical delay circuit comprises an optical medium providing chromatic dispersion.
 9. A method according to claim 7 , wherein: said intermediate signal light comprises an optical time division multiplexed signal having a single wavelength; said clock pulse comprises a plurality of clock pulses respectively corresponding to said plurality of optical signals; and said regenerated signal light comprises WDM signal light composed of a plurality of optical signals having wavelengths respectively corresponding to the wavelengths of said plurality of clock pulses.
 10. A method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of making the polarization states of said plurality of optical signals constant.
 11. A device comprising: a first waveform shaper for accepting signal light to output intermediate signal light; an optical branch for dividing said intermediate signal light into first and second signal lights; a clock recovery circuit for accepting said first signal light to output a clock pulse; and a second waveform shaper for accepting said second signal light and said clock pulse to output regenerated signal light synchronous with said clock pulse.
 12. A device according to claim 11 , wherein each of said first and second waveform shapers comprises an optical gate using switching by cross-phase modulation.
 13. A device according to claim 12 , wherein: said optical gate comprises a nonlinear optical loop mirror; said nonlinear optical loop mirror comprising a first optical coupler including first and second optical paths directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path formed of a nonlinear optical medium for connecting said first and second optical paths, and a second optical coupler including a third optical path directionally coupled to said loop optical path.
 14. A device according to claim 11 , wherein said clock recovery circuit comprises a mode-locked laser.
 15. A device according to claim 11 , further comprising an optical filter for accepting said clock pulse to stretch the pulse width of said clock pulse.
 16. A device according to claim 11 , wherein said signal light comprises WDM signal light obtained by wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths.
 17. A device according to claim 16 , further comprising an optical delay circuit for accepting said WDM signal light to change each timing of said plurality of optical signals in the time domain.
 18. A device according to claim 17 , wherein said optical delay circuit comprises an optical medium providing chromatic dispersion.
 19. A device according to claim 17 , wherein: said first waveform shaper converts said WDM signal light into an optical time division multiplexed signal having a single wavelength; said clock recovery circuit comprises a plurality of clock recovery circuits for respectively outputting a plurality of clock pulses respectively corresponding to said plurality of optical signals; and said regenerated signal light comprises WDM signal light composed of a plurality of optical signals having wavelengths respectively corresponding to the wavelengths of said plurality of clock pulses.
 20. A device according to claim 16 , further comprising a polarization controller for making the polarization states of said plurality of optical signals constant.
 21. A system comprising: a first optical fiber transmission line for propagating signal light; an optical regenerator connected to said first optical fiber transmission line for converting said signal light into regenerated signal light; and a second optical fiber transmission line connected to said optical regenerator for propagating said regenerated signal light; said optical regenerator comprising: a first waveform shaper for accepting said signal light to output intermediate signal light; an optical branch for dividing said intermediate signal light into first and second signal lights; a clock recovery circuit for accepting said first signal light to output a clock pulse; and a second waveform shaper for accepting said second signal light and said clock pulse to output said regenerated signal light.
 22. A system according to claim 21 , wherein said signal light comprises WDM signal light obtained by wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths.
 23. A system according to claim 22 , wherein said optical regenerator further comprises an optical delay circuit for accepting said WDM signal light to change each timing of said plurality of optical signals in the time domain.
 24. A system according to claim 23 , wherein said optical delay circuit comprises an optical medium providing chromatic dispersion.
 25. A system according to claim 23 , wherein: said first waveform shaper converts said WDM signal light into an optical time division multiplexed signal having a single wavelength; said clock recovery circuit comprises a plurality of clock recovery circuits for respectively outputting a plurality of clock pulses respectively corresponding to said plurality of optical signals; and said regenerated signal light comprises WDM signal light composed of a plurality of optical signals having wavelengths respectively corresponding to the wavelengths of said plurality of clock pulses.
 26. A system according to claim 22 , wherein said optical regenerator further comprises a polarization controller for making the polarization states of said plurality of optical signals constant.
 27. A method comprising the steps of: converting WDM signal light obtained by wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths into an optical time division multiplexed signal; obtaining a clock pulse having a frequency corresponding to the speed of each of said plurality of optical signals; and supplying said optical time division multiplexed signal and said clock pulse to a waveform shaper to obtain regenerated signal light.
 28. A method according to claim 27 , wherein said step of obtaining said clock pulse comprises the step of regenerating a plurality of clock pulses respectively corresponding to said plurality of optical signals.
 29. A method according to claim 28 , further comprising the step of sequentially delaying said plurality of clock pulses by a predetermined delay time.
 30. A method according to claim 28 , wherein said step of regenerating said plurality of clock pulses comprises the step of supplying said optical time division multiplexed signal to a plurality of clock recovery circuits.
 31. A method according to claim 28 , wherein said step of regenerating said plurality of clock pulses comprises the steps of supplying said WDM signal light to a plurality of optical filters having pass bands respectively corresponding to the wavelengths of said plurality of optical signals, and supplying outputs from said optical filters to a plurality of clock recovery circuits, respectively. 